BUSINESS leaders last night hailed plans to breathe new life into the abandoned Littlewoods store in Paisley’s High Street as a turning point for the town’s troubled retail scene.

Yesterday, the Paisley Daily Express revealed that discount chain Poundworld is to open two new stores on the 4,000 square feet Littlewoods site, which has lain empty since 2006.

A Poundworld store will have an entrance from High Street, while the back of the site which opens into The Paisley Centre mall will be a Home Bargains UK store.

In total, 60 jobs will be created.

And Tom Johnston, who is president of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, described the boost for Paisley’s economy as “wonderful news.”

He told the Express: “Having the Littlewoods site lying empty has been a huge problem for the town.

“It’s probably the biggest frontage in the High Street and it has been a dead patch right at the beginning of the street in the most prominent part.

“The empty site is the first thing you see whenyou’re coming into the town centre from the train stationor being dropped off by abus.

“It’s also been an impediment to other retailers coming to the town.

“Hopefully, the new Poundworld store will act as an anchor for other retailers to chose Paisley.”

With the exception of the former Arnotts store, the Littlewoods site is the biggest vacant retail space in Paisley and news that Poundworld are moving in will be a huge boost to town centre traders.

There was massive disappointment last year when homeware firm Wilkinson pulled the plug on its plans to move into the old Littlewoods store.

That deal was expected to create 85 jobs but the plans suffered a number of delays and Nottinghamshire-based Wilkinson eventually pulled out – blaming the state of the Paisley economy for its decision.

Now Mr Johnston is urging the people of Paisley to support the new Poundworld store – and other retailers in the town – to help secure a brighter future.

He said: “People need to support the shops in the town. If they don’t, then they’ll close – it’s as simple as that.

“Getting this new shop open and getting people through the doors is absolutely vital. Paisley people need to use the shop or the company will go somewhere else. That goes for all the shops in the town.”

Mr Johnston also said there are other signs that Paisley’s retail scene is picking up.

He added: “I’ve seen a few new shops open up in the town and at The Paisley Centre, which is good to see.

“The Thorntons shop on the High Street is now an outlet store, as is Marks & Spencer, and these new shops on the Littlewoods site will be value stores.

“We’re trying to create something different as we’re never going to compete with the big malls.”

Mr Johnston will now be contacting other retailers in a bid to convince them to choose Paisley.

He said: “I’ll be doing a new campaign to go round other retailers to share the good news. I may even use the article about the Littlewoods site that was on the front page of yesterday’s Paisley Daily Express to accompany a letter.

“Poundworld are spending money and investing in a building in a part of the High Street that has been lying empty for six years.

“This is new jobs and new money coming into the town and is a good news story all round.”